Tories Harm Reputation on Law: Ministers

TEHRAN, May 23 (ICANA) - Senior Tories have expressed their concerns that the police protests opposing the coalition government's cut plans would risk the Party's reputation.

Monday, May 23, 2011 10:01:37 PM

After the police representatives revealed their plans for the summer campaign of a series of protests against the government's austerity measures, the Senior Tories have stressed that the Party is too strong on law and order.

The Conservatives' former spokesman of home affairs, David Davis, claimed that the party will lose its reputation for being very tough on crime and immigration.

"There is a serious risk that the Conservative party will lose its clear 20 to 30 point opinion poll leads [over Labour] on crime and immigration if it does not take a clearer stance on these issues," Davis said.

Officers from over 40 forces are to gather in parliament on Monday to put their case against the coalition government's spending cuts. Meanwhile the Police Federation representing rank and file, has declared a national "day of action" in July to disrupt the government's current austerity measures.

The Police Federation that represents 138,000 officers claimed it had never faced such terrible relations with any other government. The Federation's president, Paul McKeever, said, "It's the most difficult time anybody has ever faced in the lifetime of the federation."

The Labour's home affairs spokeswoman, Yvette Cooper, claimed that the government “creates a perfect storm around crime and policing - and it is communities that will pay the price."

"They are making massive cuts to the police and to their powers, hitting youth services and prevention programmes, cutting sentences for serious offenders who plead guilty and bringing in American-style commissioners which put significant policing power in the hands of one politician with no proper checks and balances.”

"David Cameron is badly out of touch with the public on crime. Chaos and cuts are a toxic combination when it comes to keeping communities safe," she added.